Qatar announces ceasefire between Israel and Hamas set to begin Sunday at 6:30 GMT

Qatar’s foreign ministry has announced that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will take effect on Sunday, January 21, 2025, at 6:30 GMT. This truce comes after 15 months of intense conflict, aiming to pause hostilities and facilitate the release of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners incarcerated by Israel.

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The ceasefire agreement was approved by Israel’s Cabinet early on Saturday, with the expectation that the first hostages will be released under this new arrangement. The deal is the result of months of indirect negotiations brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, making it the second truce established in the ongoing devastating conflict.

The ongoing war has had a catastrophic toll on both sides, with over 46,000 people reported killed in Gaza, predominantly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Israel has claimed to have killed more than 17,000 fighters, though it has not provided specific evidence to support this figure.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, a total of 33 hostages are slated for release over the next six weeks, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas has indicated it will free three female hostages on the first day of the ceasefire, followed by four on the seventh day, with the remaining 26 hostages released over the following five weeks.

Additionally, Israel’s Justice Ministry has published a list of over 700 Palestinian prisoners who are set to be released under this ceasefire agreement. The list includes members of both Hamas and Islamic Jihad, some of whom are serving life sentences for serious offenses. However, notable absences from the list include Marwan Barghouti, a high-profile Palestinian prisoner whose release has been sought by Hamas as part of any ceasefire deal.

As the ceasefire approaches, both sides remain cautious, with Hamas asserting that it will not release the remaining captives without a lasting ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The coming days will be critical as the parties work to implement the agreement and explore possibilities for a more enduring peace in the region.